Kelsey DeCesare of Newtown helped lead the Lauralton Hall gymnastics team to a stellar 9-2 record and first-place finish at the South-West Conference championships.

The Crusaders earned 131.8 points to finish first at the SWC championships on February 9 in New Milford as New Milford (124.4) finished second and Pomperaug (122.4), Nonnewaug (113.2) and Weston (105) followed.

DeCesare was sixth in the uneven bars (8.3), third on the balance beam (8.15), seventh in the floor exercises (8.0), ninth on the vault (8.05) and fifth in the All-Around (32.5). DeCesare will now help lead the Crusaders into the CIAC state championships February 23 and 24.

In recent action leading up to the SWCs –

In the regular season finale against Nonnewaug, Pomperaug and Weston – with the Crusaders falling to Nonnewaug and Pomperaug – DeCesare was third on the uneven bars (8.2) and fourth in the All-Around (31.7).

In a win over New Milford (126.60-117) and Weston (126.60-85.8), DeCesare was third in the floor exercises (7.6) and fifth in the all-around (29.7). In wins over Trumbull (126.5-124.55) and Weston (126.5-100.25), she was eight on the vault and uneven bars, sixth on the balance beam, fourth in the floor exercises and sixth in the All-Around.

In a win over Darien (129.55-125.5), DeCesare was third on the balance beam (8.0), seventh in the vault (7.6), seventh on the uneven bars (7.65), sixth in the floor exercises (8.0) and sixth in the All-Around (30.65).

And in wins over Fairfield Ludlowe (133.55-126.55), Fairfield Warde (133.55-103.8) and Weston (103.55-103.15) on January 30, DeCesare was third on the uneven bars (8.1), fourth on the balance beam (8.0), eighth in the vault (7.9) and fourth in the all-around (32.35).